at any rate; in any case; at the very least; if nothing else
inquiry into; enquiry into; prying (into); investigation; search; exploration
bubble on the surface of water; (coming to) nothing; naught; something short-lived
worst; horrible; horrid; in the worst case; if worst comes to worst
to fly; to race away; to vanish; to disappear; to rush over; to hurry over
to hit a nerve; to go for the throat; to touch a sore spot
to be perturbed; to be agitated
older brother and younger sister
warp; curvature; bend; curve (of a sword)
why?; what for?; how?; by what means?
serious look (on one's face); straight face
to include (in a group or scope); to instruct; to make one understand; to include (a nuance); to put in (an implication); to put in (someone's) mouth
notice; attention; observation
one day; (on) a certain day
abrupt; sudden; unexpected
flustered; flurried; (shocked) speechless
business world; business circles; (the) industry
thrust; charge; digging into (a matter); depth; straight man (of a comedy duo); quip; gibe
to be at a loss for words
to give no leeway; to press (for an answer, etc.); to shower (questions on someone)
possible; conceivable; likely; probable
to be thirsty; to feel thirsty; to thirst for; to crave
missing (of a person); lost; unaccounted for; whereabouts unknown
parent-teacher association; PTA
director; executive; officer; official; person in charge
mum; mom; mummy; wifey; dear; missus
to lament; to grieve; to regret; to deplore
illegitimate child; secret love child
loss of strength; exhaustion; weakness
to sit down hard; to sink down to the floor
calmness; composure; coolness; serenity; presence of mind
to be saved; to be rescued; to escape harm; to be spared damage; to be helped; to be saved trouble
doubt; suspicion; question; strangeness
hundredfold; hundred times as much; much more (than previously)
don't you think?; indicates question
to live (of humans); to reside; to inhabit; to dwell; to abide
to be hesitant; to feel timid
to bring (someone) back home; to take (someone) back home
hard-to-forgive; intolerable; inexcusable; unpardonable
the art of giving a brief glimpse (of skin, underwear, etc.)
with a clash; with a thud; unexpectedly (meeting someone); suddenly (ending); abruptly (coming to a halt)